Site for new homes in Sparta cleared

SPARTA-Leaves were not the only thing to fall in Sparta Township this week when crews began toppling trees to make way for construction of new housing units off Woodport Road and Fisher Lane behind the Sparta Lanes bowling alley. More than 230 logs, at least12-14 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length were cut from the site and transported to a saw mill in Moscow, Pa., in the Poconos, where they would be further reduced for use in making hardwood floors, said Scott Bonner, of CDLS Transport, of Germansville, Pa. In September, the Sparta Township Council approved an application by Sparta Builders, L.L.C. to begin construction of 120 multifamily attached housing units near Route 181. The units are to be built in 15 buildings with associated roads, detention basins, retaining walls, play and parking areas as well as open space. The units comprise 96 market rate multifamily attached units and 24 affordable multifamily units. The 120 units include 36 flat-style units and 84 townhouse-style units. Housing Partnership for Morris County is administering the affordable housing units. The Housing Partnership a non-profit organization funded in part through the Neighborworks Organization, a national non-profit that provides assistance to organizations that rebuild communities and households. It also receives grants from United Way, the federal government, financial institutions and foundations.